some things never get old

bonsoir mes amis, ça va? i hope you’re enjoying an evening of doing wHatEveR you want!  it was a long day at the dmv and the last thing i thought about doing tonight was, well, anything! of course you can’t even look sideways at the computer without falling in, but like pandora’s box, i lifted the lid and took a wild ride. it’s dark now so it must have been a while but it was worth it cause i got a bit of soul food from  a fascinating look into french fashion and furnishings, past and present. these shots are from a show that’s happening now through october called vogue at versailles.  even if you don’t speak french, the videos are worth watching if you love decadent design and decor. i translated the page into english with the the google translator toolbar. google it if you don’t know about it, it’s priceless.

vogue.fr/vogue-a-versailles

aNyWaY, what sucked me in is how what’s old is new again, specifically design from 1700s en france. it’s a time that’s kept me fascinated for decades (you too, bien sur),  and i’m stoked there are designers who are as into it as we are! the exhibit has vintage, antique and new pieces from Chanel, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Olivier Theyskens pour Rochas, Martin Margiela, Azzedine Alaïa, Alexander McQueen pour Givenchy, Yohji Yamamoto, Thierry Mugler, Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood as well as the forgotten ghostly designers who started it all waaaaayyyyy back when with just a needle, thread and a dream.

chanel

balenciaga

christian lacroix

original french fashion

en.chateauversailles.fr/news-/events/expositions/le-xviiie-au-gout-du-jour-en

even though it’s one or two pages on the website, they’re so full of ideas and images that it’s completely absorbing. at one point one of the videos talks about how decor influenced the fashions like this:

boiserie (wood paneling) translated to lacey embroidery

gold mirrors and gilding go from the wall to buttons, details and trims

not a great shot but the brilliant color of the brocade sofa is a stunning pour une robe 

and what goes on behind the scenes is just as intriguing as the event!

if you’re going to be in paris i hope you get a chance to go, but if not, you can still have some fun with this as they’re holding a design contest for  laymen who love the era. take a look below to enter and let me know if you do! (there’s a fun panel of judges including the cherry blossom girl and her friend miss pandora).

concoursdestyle.chateauversailles.fr/English

alors, c’est tout pour moi c’est soir. buona notte & hasta mañana !